Knitted fabric and method of making same



Aug. 10, 1954 H. H. MARUM KNITTED FABRIC AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed Oct. 27, 1950 INVENTOR. f/qns h. Mam/m BY W flrToRA/EY Patented Aug. 10, 1954 KNITTED FABRIC AND METHODYOF MAKING SAME Hans H. Marum, Methuen, Mass., assignor to Marum Knitting Mills, 1110., Lawrence, Mass.

Application October 27, 1950, Serial 'No.. 192.,.4.59

11 Claims.

1 This invention relates to knitted articles of wearing apparel and more particularly to a simulated cable stitching incorporated into said articles and to the methodof producing said cable stitching.

Previous attempts in the past to produce mock cable stitching in various types of knitted wearing apparel such as sweaters, socks, mittens and the like have resulted in poor approximations of the desired effect. has been produced has usually been irregular, unesthet-ic, and betrayed an obvious simulation.

It is any object of the invention to provide knitted wearing apparel having a simulated cable stitch that gives a realistic appearance although it is made by machine knitting.

Another object of the invention is to provide .a methodfor the production of machine produced cable-stitching in various types of knitted wearing apparel which has the appearance of having been produced by hand knitting methods.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a mock cable stitch in knitted apparel which is .simple and economical to produce.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be evident from this specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is an enlarged outside view of a portion of knitted material showing a panel having rows of diagonal rib stitching therein preparatory to the formation of the simulated cable;

Fig. 2 is a still further enlarged underside view of the knitted sect-ion shownginFig. 1., illustrating the manner in which tying yarns are applied to the panel and the steps in producing the simulated cable stitching; and

Fig. 3 is a portion of a knitted sock showing the complete cable stitch. incorporated into a stocking.

Referring now to the drawing in .detail, Fig. 1 is :a-noutside View of .a portion of a sknitted tabric which may ultimately be made up in the form of a stocking,,.sweater, glove, scarf orthe like. This fabric may be knitted on a so-ca1led linkslinksmachinewhich is capable of producing a rib Stitch in a predetermined pattern. Although any one Of arious types of stitching may be provided for the overall fabric, one embodiment, as exemplified in Fig. 1, has a series of plain panels of stitching .H formed in the body portion thereof with panels l2 separating panels H. In the course of knitting the fabric a predetermined adjustment in the knitting machine produces a series 10f substantially parallel rows of rib stitches The mock cable stitch that i 2 l3 positioned diagonally to the 'longitudinaldirection of the series of rows.

The diagonally directed rows of rib stiteheslS are in contrast to the remainder of the body portion of the knitted fabric and are such as barely to disrupt the smooth continuity of the knitted panel on the outside of the fabric as shown in Fig. 1 while the heavier portions of the ribbed stitches appear on the underside of the fabric as shownin Fig. 2. The rows of rib stitches are arranged so that the respective ends of adjacent rows do not overlap and in some embodiments these ends are separated from each other as shown in Fig. 1.

After the knittin of the fabric has been completed it is reversed to expose the underside of the fabric and the ribstitches I3 incorporated therein, as shown in Fig. 2. Next, by means of a hand operation yarn I4 is passed orinterlocked through one or two stitches at or near one end of a diagonal row of ribbed stitches and then through one or two-stitches at or near the opposing end of the next adjacent diagonal ribbed row. It can be seen that yarns I4 are also positioned diagonally in relation to the longitudinal direction of the series of rows of ribbed stitches since the ends of adjacent ribbed rows areseparated and do not overlap each other. The diagonal disposition of tying yarns I4 is generally opposite to that of the ribbed rows I3.

In the next step the ends ofyarn l4 are drawn together and tied, thereby gathering together the fabric at the two points into which yarn. I l had been inserted. Thus, there are formed a series of elongated soft rolling bulges l5 on the .outside surface of the knitted fabric representing the coiled links of the cable stitch asshown in Fig. 3.

The successive steps by which yarn I4 is tied to create the gathered roll is shown in Fig. 2. The top two positions a and b show yarn l4 extending through the opposing ends of adjacent ribbed rows I3 while the third position 0 shows the fabric partially gathered together. The fourth position at indicates how yarn I4 is "complete'ly drawn togetherand tied to fix permanently the opposing ends of adjacent ribbed rowstogather to form the bulge l5 of the cable stitch link.

Although the tying yarn 14 may consist of a single strand, a double strand is shown in Fig. '2, one end of said double strand being in the form of loop is and having two free ends at its other end. The free ends of the strand are inserted through said loop and are pulled to-constrict and draw together the ends of adjacent ribbed rows.

When the gathering is complete the strand may be tied to form a permanent knot thereby permanently constricting portions of adjacent ribbed rows. When all the tying yarns M are drawn together and knotted, the fabric is again reversed and it now displays a simulated cable stitch which very closely approximates a hand knit cable stitch and is hardly distinguishable therefrom. Fig. 3 shows the actual appearance of the cable stitch produced by the process outlined herein as incorporated into a stocking.

An important feature of my novel structure and process is the disposition of the tying yarns l4 diagonally to the longitudinal direction of the cable that is produced. Therefore, if the diagonally directed rib stitch rows are too close to each other, then the tying yarns may interlock spaced portions of adjacent rows other than the extreme ends thereof so as to permit said yarns to assume a diagonal direction. A good result is obtained by separating the rows of rib stitches so that the tying yarns which interlock the ends of said rows are disposed substantially 90 to the rib stitch rows or substantially 45 to the longitudinal direction of the cable. Other angular dispositions of the tyin yarns are contemplated to produce suitable cable stitches.

In some knitted fabrics. it is possible to dispense with the rows of rib stitches and simply utilize a plain body portion having a series of parallel tying yarns disposed diagonally to the longitudinal direction of the series of yarns and to the longitudinal direction of the cable to be produced. These yarns are adapted to be inserted through or to interlock spaced portions of the underside of the knitted fabric and are pulled to constrict and to tie together said spaced portions, thereby producing a series of bulges on the outside of the fabric in simulation of a cable.

In the specification, I have explained the principles of my invention and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying those principles, so as to distinguish my invention from other inventions; and I have particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed the part, improvement or combination which I claim as my invention or discovery.

While I have shown and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as will be clear to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A knitted fabric comprising a body portion, a series of non-overlapping rows of rib stitches in said body portion, said rows being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, an end of each row being separated in the longitudinal direction of said series from the diagonally positioned end of an adjacent row, the said diagonally positioned ends of adjacent rows being gathered together.

2. A knitted fabric comprising a body portion, at least one series of parallel rows of rib stitches in said body portion, said rows being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction to said series of rows, an end of each row being separated in said longitudinal direction from the diagonally positioned end of an adjacent row, a plurality of spaced yarns on one side of said fabric each connecting an end of each of said rows with the diagonally positioned end of an adjacent row, said yarns being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, said yarns being gathered together and tied to form bulges on the opposite side of the fabric in simulation of links of cable stitching.

3. A knitted fabric comprising a body portion, a series of rows of rib stitches in said body portion, said rib stitches being in contrast to the stitching of the remainder of the body portion, said rows being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, an end of each row being separated in said longitudinal direction from the diagonally positioned end of the adjacent row, a plurality of spaced yarns on one side of said fabric connecting an end of each 'row with the diagonally positioned end of an adjacent row, said yarns being positioned substantially in relation to said rows, said yarns being gathered together and tied to form bulges on the opposite side of the fabric in simulation of cable stitching.

4. A knitted fabric comprising a body portion, a series of rows of rib stitches in said body portion, said rib stitches being in contrast to the stitching of the remainder of the body portion, said rows being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, each of said rows being separated from adjacent rows so that an end of one row does not overlap the diagonally opposite end of an adjacent row in the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, spaced tying yarns on the underside of said fabric, each tying yarn connecting a part of one row with a part of an adjacent row, said yarns being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, said yarns being tied to form bulges on the opposite side of the fabric.

5. A knitted fabric comprising a body portion, a series of parallel rows of rib stitches in said body portion, said rows being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, said rows being diagonally positioned so that an end of one row does not overlap the diagonally opposite end of an adjacent row, a series of parallel tying yarns positioned diagonally in relation to the longitudinal direction of the series of rows, said yarns being adapted to gather and constrict portions of adjacent rows.

6. A knitted fabric comprising a body portion, a series of parallel rows of rib stitches in said body portion, said rows being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, said rows being diagonally positioned so that an end of one row does not overlap an end of an adjacent row, a series of tying yarns positioned diagonally in relation to the longitudinal direction of the series of rows, said yarns hav ng an angular direction different from that of said series of rows, said yarns being adapted to gather and constrict portions of adjacent rows.

'7. A knitted fabric comprising a body portion, a series of parallel rows of rib stitches in said body portion, said rows being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, said rows being positioned so that an end of one row does not overlap the diagonally opposite end of an adjacent row, a series of tying yarns positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of the series of rows, said yarns each comprising a double thread having a loop at one end and having two free ends at the other end thereof, each of said yarns adapted to engage portions of adjacent rows of rib stitches, the free through said loop and tied so as to gather and constrict said displaced portions of adjacent rows.

8. The method of producing a knit fabric which comprises knitting a body portion, incorporating in said body portion a series of diagonally directed rows of rib stitches, adjacent rows of said rib stitches being positioned so that one row does not overlap an adjacent row, and gathering together opposing portions of adjacent rows.

9. The method of producing a knit fabric which comprises knitting a body portion, incorporating in said body portion a series of parallel non-over lapping rows of rib stitches directed diagonally in relation to the longitudinal direction of said series, the diagonally opposite ends of adjacent rows being separated from each other in the longitudinal direction, and gathering and tying together said diagonally opposite ends of adjacent rows.

10. The method of producing a knit fabric which comprises knitting a body portion, incorporating at least one series of parallel nonoverlapping rows of rib stitches in said body portion, said rows being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, each end of each row being separated from the diagonally opposite end of an adjacent row in said longitudinal direction, inserting yarns in said opposite ends of adjacent rows, and tying said yarns to gather together said opposite ends.

11. The method of producing a knit fabric which comprises knitting a body portion, incorporating at least on series of parallel rows of rib stitches in said body portion, said rows being positioned diagonally to the longitudinal direction of said series of rows, each end of each row being separated from the diagonally opposite end of an adjacent row in said longitudinal direction, inserting yarns in the diagonally opposing ends of adjacent rows, said yarns being positioned substantially in relation to said rows and tying said yarns to gather together said opposing ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,264,016 Bialostok Nov. 25, 1941 2,427,891 Wirtz Sept. 23, 1947 

